Each book in this established series contains the full and complete text, and is designed to motivate and encourage students who may be writing on these challenging writers for the first time. It contains useful notes to add depth and knowledge to students' understanding, comments to explain literacy and historical allusions, tasks to help students explore themes and issues, and suggestions for further reading.

Mastering Shakespeare covers in detail the plays set in the National Curriculum through GCSE and A-Level to the major elements of Shakespearean drama studied in further education courses.

The book is divided into sections that deal with comedy, tragedy and history. Also included are detailed sections on the most popular plays in the theatre and in the examination room.

The book deals with the basic themes of Shakespeare, the kinds of characters he created, the stories he was attracted to, and the ways in which the plays work out on stage. Among the plays studied are A...

Mastering the Novels of Jane Austenis the ideal companion for anyone studying the works of this endearing literary figure. An engaging account of the six most-read Austen novels, this book captures the imagination with its fresh and lively approach.

It provides a detailed critique of Northanger Abbey, Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice, Mansfield Park, Emma, and Persuasion, linking the significance of the works from the past to the present day in the light of contemporary attitudes to women, tradition, and innovation. The book explores the influence of art, architecture,...